June 2, ‎2024 – Mount Tremper, NY

Map: Catskills Visitor Center Trails Map

Address: 5096 NY-28, Mt Tremper, NY 12457

The grounds are open to the public every day during daylight hours.

Public restrooms, free wifi and cell service.

Phone: 845-688-3369

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Overview:

Situated on 60 acres of forest, fields, and wetlands in the hamlet of Mount Tremper is the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center (CVC).

The CVC is the official visitor center for the Catskill Park and is operated by Catskill Center in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Explore the peaceful grounds to discover the 80-foot tall Upper Esopus Fire Tower; 1.5 miles of nature trails (including ADA accessible trails); picnic areas; a covered pavilion; wildlife viewing; Esopus Creek access and much more. Whether you’re new to the area or just passing through, this is a good place to stop for information and get helpful insight from the friendly staff.

The Catskills Visitor Center serves as a gateway for outdoor enthusiasts to learn about the Catskills Park’s opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. The center showcases the Catskills’ natural resources and recreational opportunities with information about the 700,000-acre park, New York City’s one million-acre Catskills/Delaware drinking watershed, and ways to recreate and enjoy these treasured natural resources.

The Catskills Visitor Center is open year-round with all the info, maps, and advice you need to plan your best Catskill adventure.

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History:

The Catskills Visitor Center opened in July 2015 as the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center. In 2019 the name was changed to the Catskills Visitor Center. It remains dedicated to the late Congressman Maurice Hinchey.

The visitor center continues as a partnership between the Catskill Center and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

The Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center seeks to educate and inform visitors about the history, culture, natural resources, recreational opportunities, and geography of the Catskill Park and the Catskill Region. The Catskills were formed 300 million years ago and were carved by the glaciers of the last ice age 25,000 years ago. Humans have been occupying the Catskill Region for the past 10,000 years. More recently, the Catskills were settled by tribes of the Lenni Lenape people, then the Dutch followed by the English and a number of other European groups including the French and people of German heritage.

Many people think the Catskill Forest Preserve and the Catskill Park are the same thing, but they are not. The Catskill Park is a mix of public and private land, defined by the “blue line,” a boundary the state established in 1904. The Catskill Forest Preserve is state-owned land that is protected as “forever wild” within the park.

Upper Esopus Fire Tower:

The Upper Esopus Fire Tower was originally named the Venetia Fire Tower, and used for fire surveillance in Venice, Florida. It was completely restored for its new home in the Catskills. It was rebuilt on the grounds at the Catskills Visitor Center in the fall of 2019. This 80-foot steel tower is a great way for hikers, casual and advanced, to enjoy a view of the area with only a 1/4-mile walk from the parking area. It is suggested that you call the Catskills Visitor Center at 845-688-3369 before you head out to confirm that the tower is open.

The story of the Venetia Fire Tower began several decades ago and more than 1,300 miles south on the West Coast of Florida, in the city of Venice. The fire tower sat in a remote area with no other residents except for a few farm houses scattered nearby. Soaring 80-feet above ground, this Aermotor MC-39 model fire tower once served as a Florida Division of Forestry lookout tower for decades until it was decommissioned in the 1970’s. 

It is estimated that the Venetia Fire Tower was first built in the mid 1940’s, possibly 1945. The State of Florida has very few records of their fire towers, but had 310 of them at one point in time. The fire tower was purchased online for $1,000. The tower was then shipped and brought back to life at the Catskills Visitor Center.

Adding the final piece at the CVC.

The Aermotor MC-39 is a heavily galvanized free-standing, batter-legged, hurricane-proof structure with a 7×7′ metal cab. It is 79’6″ tall, with 8 flights of stairs and 97 steps.

On October 3, 2019, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) officially dedicated and announced the opening of the new Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center.

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My Visit:

I walked the Ashokan Reservoir Promenade West on a Sunday morning in June and decided to check out the Catskills Visitor Center at the conclusion of my walk. It is only 10 miles away (15 minute drive) and worth checking out. I specifically went there just to climb the fire tower since I was in the vicinity, but I also went inside to see what they were all about. If you are unfamiliar with the area or just interested in exploring the Catskills, this is a good place to visit.

The fire tower is open!!

The Catskills Visitor Center is a gateway to the Catskill Region and the Catskill Park. The staff and volunteers are on hand to help you plan your Catskill adventures, from information about local communities, to the best trails for a variety of users.

Trained staff and volunteers will help answer any questions you may have.

The Catskills Visitor Center’s Gift Shop has a wide variety of books and guides about the Catskill Park, the Catskill Mountains and the surrounding areas. They also carry a large selection of quality trail maps and trail guides to help you have a safe and enjoyable adventure on the trails.

In addition to books, maps and guidebooks, the Catskills Visitor Center Gift Shop offers, fire tower merchandise, including Catskill Fire Tower patches and a number of items to help you enjoy your stay in the Catskills.

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Visiting The Fire Tower:

From the parking lot of the Catskills Visitor Center, walk about a quarter of a mile on the red-blazed Interpretive Loop Trail.

The Interpretive Loop Trail circles the Visitor Center and passes by the fire tower along the way. The trail is ADA accessible. Along the trail, there are multiple interpretive panels, telling the story of the Catskills Visitor Center site, the ecology, and history of the Catskills.

The view while standing in front of the interpretive sign.

The Upper Esopus Fire Tower weighs 18,000 pounds and stands 92 feet high from the ground to the peak of the cab. It stands at an elevation 670’ above sea level.

NYSDEC staff constructed a nature trail around the tower and a kiosk at its base with information about all of the Catskills Fire Towers.

Climb the 8 flights of stairs and 97 steps for a view of the surrounding area.

A highlight of the fire tower is a map table.

Looking north towards Mount Tremper. 

Looking southwest towards Ashokan High Point.

The Upper Esopus Valley.

Watch your step on the way down. 

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Sources:

• Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey
• Catskills Visitor Center
• Catskill Interpretive Center Has A New Name
• Upper Esopus Fire Tower Grand Opening
• Venetia/Upper Esopus Fire Tower

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